Gary Paffett finishes second in the second DTM race at Spielberg

Mercedes-AMG driver Gary Paffett (EURONICS Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) started the second half of the DTM season with a P2. This was the 2005 champion’s 35th podium finish of his DTM career. Five Mercedes-AMG drivers came home in the Top Ten in the second race of the weekend.

Robert Wickens (SILBERPFEIL Energy Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) and Pascal Wehrlein (gooix Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) were heading for a points-scoring finish when they were deliberately pushed into the gravel bed by Audi driver Timo Scheider on the last lap following a radio communication from his team and were subsequently forced to retire. That resulted in Wehrlein losing vital points in the championship fight with Audi driver Mattias Ekström, who won the race and is now 17 points up on Wehrlein who is third overall; Wehrlein had a lead of eight points in the drivers’ standings before the second race at Spielberg.

A total of 52,000 spectators came through the gates during the weekend to watch the two races. The second race was staged in difficult weather conditions and had to be started behind the safety car due to heavy rain. Daniel Juncadella (PETRONAS Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM) had to park up his car just a few minutes before the end of the race.

The next race weekend: Races 11 and 12 of the 2015 DTM season will be staged August 28th-30th at the Moscow Raceway.

Gary Paffett: “That was a very good race. It would, of course, have been even nicer to finish on top, but Matthias and I pushed each other. I got closer and closer to him and thought I’d catch him, but then he countered and so, it was obvious that it wasn’t going to be possible. It was a tough race in difficult conditions, but I’m pleased with the result.”